Just hours after telling the Times-Delta the assemblyman was under an "extensive investigation and several witnesses were left to interview," Sgt. Linda Matthew emailed a statement.

"The allegations were investigated, however detectives were unable to substantiate that a crime occurred," she said. "At this time, the case has been closed."

Mathis immediately responded to the police statement.

"I am grateful that this investigation has been completed and has proven what I have known to be true from the beginning. These allegations were false and politically motivated," Mathis said. "I chose to wait it out to protect the innocent women my political adversaries were willing to jeopardize the reputations of but I knew the truth would prevail. I am appreciative of my family, my friends and supporters who believed in me throughout this process."

The allegations became public in October when conservative blogger and activist Joseph Turner, founder of American Children First, wrote of the alleged sexual assault. A former staff member said the incident occurred on April 13, 2016 at the home of another staff member.

Turner said that to his knowledge the victim was not contacted by police. He questioned the department’s earlier statement referring to the investigation as “extensive.”

“How can an extensive investigation not include interviews with sources providing information,” Turner said. “I’d like to know if authorities interviewed victims.”

He asked Matthew, who declined to give him details on the case.

After police got involved, the Assembly Rules Committee hired an outside investigator to look into the allegations. Now that the criminal case is closed, it's not known how the Assembly's investigation will proceed.

Jennifer Shaw, founder of Shaw Law Group, is heading that investigation and has contacted Turner for an interview regarding the case, according to emails reviewed by the Times-Delta this week.

Shaw hasn't responded to calls for comment.

The Visalia Times-Delta is withholding the name of the woman, said to be a former Sacramento-based staff member, alleged to have been sexually assaulted by Mathis. The newspaper, as a general principle, does not name victims in sexual assault cases.

The Tulare County Republican party is also standing by their resolution asking Mathis to resign immediately, said Mariann Hedstrom, chairwoman of the committee.

Earlier this week, the 21-member committee asked Mathis to step down. The group said it was a number of issues since 2014 that led them to their resolution.